R.I.P. Steve & Barry's

As I was folding laundry the other day, I happened to notice the tag on a pair of my shorts - Steve & Barry's. Man, I miss that store. What a wonderful concept! Everything in the store costing $7.99-shirts, pants, coats, shoes, etc. At least, that's how it started out. The first time I went to a Steve & Barry's was in Middlesboro, KY. At that time, everying in the store costed the same amount. They would run specials around Christmas time. A person could go in there and buy something for everyone on his/her Christmas list for half the price that would be spent at any other store. As stated by USA Today, this type of pricing equation should have worked in the poor economy. Was it the massive growth the company had recently experienced? Was it the taking on of big names like Sarah Jessica Parker, Amanda Bynes and Venus Williams? Or was it truly the reason of the downturn in the economy? Whatever the reason, Steve & Barry's is gone (has been for a few months now).

The economy can definitely be blamed for the closing of another store-Trixie's Western Outfitters. This little store is located on Callahan Rd. When it first opened, I thought "what an interesting location for a western store?" But, contrary to my first thoughts, the store seemed to flourish. It was one of the first stores to open up in the Yow Shopping Center, and I was happy to see it doing well. Each day, I would drive by and smile as I looked over and saw their brightly lit red and blue sign. So, you can imagine my dismay when just a few weeks ago, I saw the "Going Out Of Business" signs posted outside of Trixie's. Is this for real? Is Trixie's the next store to succumb to this economic disaster? Why her?

I stopped by there - (1) to get some saddle soap to clean my leather couch and (2) to take a look inside this little store that had made me smile so many times. As I walked around the store, I felt so sad. One sweet lady who worked there just sweetly smiled as this couple bickered on whether to buy the cowboy hat now or wait until the "prices get much lower". I found a bottle of spray soap and took it to the register. There was a gentleman at the register sporting a cowboy hat and matching moustache along with a lady working on the computer. I asked if they had any paste soap, and another lady who worked there said "sure". She kindly walked over and got me one. Tell me where else you'll get service like that-someone who knows what you are talking about, if they have it, and is willing to go get it. I paid for my soap and walked to my car with tears in my eyes, sad about what our community was losing and that that sweet sign will turn dark very soon.

How many more stores are going to have to close? How many more families' dreams are going to have to be dashed? How many more people are going to lose their jobs before this nightmare ends? When is this going to end?

I wish I could answer these questions. What I can do is clean my couch with the saddle soap I got at Trixie's, and remember the sweet little Western store and the precious people who worked there.